Inflatable emergency device

ABSTRACT

The helium cartridge is mounted within a recess of the casing while the spool of line is mounted within an annular recess about the cartridge chamber. The balloon is disposed within a removable cap mounted on the casing. A needle valve passes through a selfsealing nipple into the balloon as well as into the cartridge chamber. A threaded screw forces the cartridge against the end of the needle valve to rupture the sealing disc therein and permit helium to enter into the balloon after the cap has bwen removed. The balloon is anchored by a line extending from the casing.

United States Patent [191 111 3,735,723 [451 May 29,1973

' Lutz [54] INFLATABLE EMERGENCY DEVICE [76 Inventor: Pierre Lutz, P.0Box 84, Redding, I K Conn. 06875 221 Filed: se i. 18,1972 [21] App].No.: 289,790

[52] 11.8. C1. ..ll6/l24 B, 9/9, 222/5 [51] Int. Cl ..G09i 9/00 [58]Field of Search ..116/124, 124 B, DIG. 44;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,842,090 .7/1958Samwald.... ..1 16/124 B 3,007,483 11/1961 Keefe m... ..137/2233,142,063 7/1964 Goetzmann, Jr. ...1 16/124 B 3,154,050 10/1964Hanson.... ...1 16/124 B 3,171,128 2/1965 Shattuck ..9/9 3,381,6555/1968 Rozzelle ...1 16/124 B 3,547,073 I 12/1970 Colandrea ..1 16/124 83,592,157 7/1971 Schwartz ..1l6/124 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,344,133 10/1963 France ..ll6/124B Primary Examiner-Louis J. CapoziAttorney-William J. Ungvarsky vand Francis C.

Hand

[57] ABSTRACT The helium cartridge is mounted within a recess of theagainst the end of the needle valve to rupture the sealing disc thereinand permit helium to enter into the balloon after the cap has bwenremoved. The balloon isanchored by a line extending from the casing.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figui-es INFLATABLE EMERGENCY DEVICE This inventionrelates to an inflatable emergency device. More particularly, thisinvention relates to an inflatable balloon emergency device.

Various inflatable devices have been known for use in emergencyconditions. For example, it has been known to provide kits havingballoons which can be inflated and lofted to relatively great heightsfor purposes of displaying a distress signal should one become lost orincapacitated at sea, in a wooded terrain or elsewhere. However, in manycases, the devices have been of relatively cumbersome construction and,in some cases, have required a great deal of manipulation in order to beplaced in operation. In order to overcome such deficiencies, attemptshave been made to provide devices which are of relatively simpleconstruction and of compact design. However, the devices which have beenproduced along these lines have resulted in constructions in which ithas been possible to have leakage 'of the inflating gas into the balloonmember when not in use. Such a leakage has either resulted in the devicebecoming operative when not required or, where sufficient gas hasescaped, in rendering the device incapable of use when required.Further, in many instances the inflatable devices have requiredconsiderable time and effort not only to assemble the component partsinto a saleable package but also to re-package the various parts for are-use.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an emergencyballoon device which is of simple compact construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide an emergency balloondevice which can be manipulated in a relatively easy manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an inflatable balloondevice which prevents the leakage of inflating air prior to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide an inflatable device ofrelatively simple parts which can be readily packaged into a compactunit for sale or re-use.

Briefly, the invention provides an inflatable emergency device which isof minimal shape and contour and which can be easily manipulated. Thedevice includes a casing which houses an inflatable gascontainingcartridge having a sealing disc therein and a spool of line, a cap whichis releaseably mounted on the casing and houses an inflatable balloon,and means for communicating the interior of the balloon with thecartridge. This latter means includes a needle valve which passesthrough a self-sealing nipple in the orifice of the balloon at one endand which passes through the casing into adjacent relation to thegas-containing cartridge at the other end. In addition, a means, such asa threaded screw, is provided in the casing to force the cartridgeagainst the end of the needle valve so that the sealing disc can beruptured by the needle valve to permit a flow of gas to pass from thecartridge through the needle valve. into the balloon.

The device further includes a safety lock which is mounted about thethreaded screw to prevent accidental movement of the cartridge againstthe needle valve. This safety lock is readily removable when the deviceis placed in use.

In use, the cap is initially removed from the cartridge. Thereafter, thesafety lock is removed and the threaded screw is rotated into the casingproper so as to move the cartridge against the end of the needle valvewith ture of a valve such as in a basketball valve so as to self sealonce the needle valve has been removed therefrom. Further, the needlevalve is secured in the casing within a seal disc to such a degree as toremain fixed in place against the force of the cartridge when movedagainst the needle and against the force created upon removal of theballoon nipple.

The casing is of a cylindrical shape and is of a length about fourinches so as to be easily held in one hand. This leaves a persons otherhand free to manipulate the threaded screw so as to cause inflation ofthe balloon. In addition, the annular recess is of sufficient size so asto permit storage of a sufficient length of line. For example, a footlength of monofilament fishing line can be mounted on a cardboard coreand stored within the recess.

The balloon which can be of any suitable color, for example, a brightyellow dye containing Rhodamine or Fluorescene (Glo) is folded over theneedle valve and is protected by the cap which can be of clear plastic.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device according to theinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 illustrates a condition of the device during inflation of theballoon; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the balloon in inflated condition at a point abovethe casing.

Referring to FIG. 1, the emergency device 10 includes a casing 11, forexample, of plastic material, a cap 12, for example, of clear plasticmaterial, releaseably secured to the top of the casing 11, a threadedscrew 13 threadably mounted in the base of the casing 11 and a removableplastic safety lock 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the casing 11 includes a pair of concentriccylinders 15, 16. The inner cylinder 15 has a cylindrical peripheralwall which defines a chamber 17 and includes a transverse wall 18 at oneend to close off the chamber 17. In addition, the inner cylinder 15 hasa threaded portion 19 which receives the threaded screw 13. An O-ringseal 20 is disposed between the threaded screw 13 and the peripheralwall of the chamber 17 so as to seal the chamber 17 against the passageof gas. The outer cylinder 16 is secured at one end to the innercylinder 15 to be integral therewith and is spaced from the innercylinder so as to define an annular recess 21 therebetween.

The transverse wall 18 of the inner cylinder 15 has an opening in whicha self-sealing valve seat 22, for example, of resilient rubber material,is mounted to seal off the chamber 17. As shown, the valve seat 22 issuitably contoured to be fixedly mounted within the wall 18. Inaddition, a needle valve 23 of hollow construction and, e.g., of metalmaterial,

FIG. la illustrates the manner of inflating the ballon; passes throughthe valve seat 22 and has a sharp end 24 disposed within the chamber 17of the inner cylinder 15.

An inflatable balloon 25 is disposed within the cap 12 and is foldedover the needle valve 23 in a collapsed condition. The balloon 25 has anorifice 26 in which a self-sealing nipple 27 is sealingly secured in anyknown manner. In addition, the needle valve 23 passes through the nipple27 so as to communicate with the interior of the balloon 25.

A cartridge 28 containing an inflating gas, for example, helium gas, ismounted within the chamber 17. This cartridge 28 has a rupturablesealing disc 29 disposed atone end thereof, for example, in recessedrelationship within a neck 30. The neck 30 of the cartridge 28 isdisposed about the sharp end 24 of the needle valve 23 with the disc 29in spaced relation thereto. In addition, the threaded screw 13 isprovided with a suitable recess or depression 31 so as to seat the endof the cartridge 28 thereon.

A spool of line consisting of a cardboard or plastic core 32 and amonofllament line 33, such as a fishing line, is disposed within theannular recess 21 between the cylinders 15, 16 of the casing 11. Thecore 32 is secured within the recess 21 by a friction fit on the innercylinder 15. In this way, the spool of line can be easily inserted inthe casing 11 when being assembled during manufacture. This also allowsthe core 32 to be removed for rewinding of a length of line 33 which hasbeen previously run out during a use and to, thereafter, be re-insertedfor a second subsequent use. Alternatively, where the device is not tobe re-used, the core 32 can be permanently secured in place in anysuitable manner, for example, by passing over a circumferential bead onthe inner cylinder near the end of the recess 21. One end of the line 33is secured, for example, by a snap swivel as is known to the balloon 25while the opposite end is secured to the core 32 or within the casing 11in any suitable manner. The spool is disposed so as to permit unwindingof the line 33 when the balloon 25 is allowed to rise.

The safety lock 14 is positioned about the threaded screw 13 to preventthreading of the screw 13 into the casing 11 and includes a tab 34 bywhich the lock 14 can be readily removed under manual force from thethreaded screw 13.

In order to facilitate turning of the screw 13, the peripheral surface35 can be provided with a suitable knurl.

In use, the protective cap 12 is first removed. Next, by holding thecasing l l in the left hand with the thumb and index finger above theouter cylinder 16 (FIG. 4), the balloon 25 is shaken loose so as toreveal the nipple 27 which is then held by the thumb and index finger.The safety lock 14 is then removed and the knurled screw 13 is rotated,for example, clockwise, to push the cartridge 28 towards the needlevalve 23. Inflation then starts when the rupturable sealing disc 29 ofthe cartridge 28 is perforated by the needle valve end 24. After fullinflation, the device 10 is held upward and the nipple 27 of the balloon25 is eased off the needle valve 23. The inflated balloon 25 will thenrise upwardly (cf. FIG. 5) until the line 33 is completely reeled offthe core 32.

The invention thus provides an emergency balloon device which can beeasily manufactured from relatively inexpensive materials. Further, asthe various components are of simple construction, the device can beeasily and quickly assembled in an efficient manner for either initialassembly or re-use. Also, the construction of the components, especiallythe spool of line, and the relationship between the various componentsallows the device to be self-contained within a single unit without needfor any connection with other devices. In addition, because of thecompact nature of the device, such can be stored in a minimum of spacealong with other paraphernalia by one who would require such a device.

Further, because the gas containing cartridge must be moved under apositively applied force against the needle valve before gas can flowinto the balloon, there is little danger of a gas leak occurring. Thus,the device will be reliable in operation. Also, as the cartridge can beeasily replaced after exhaustion of the gas therein, the expense ofmaintaining the device for repeated uses can be minimized.

Still further, as the various components of the device can be made ofrelatively inexpensive materials, the device can be constructed fordiscarding after a single use.

What is claimed is:

1. An inflatable emergency device comprising a casing including a pairof concentric cylinders, the inner of said cylinders having a transversewall at one end and a peripheral wall defining a chamber therein, theouter of said cylinders being secured to an opposite end of said innercylinder and spaced from said peripheral wall of said inner cylinder todefine an annular recess therebetween;

an inflatable gas containing cartridge mounted in said chamber, saidcartridge having a rupturable means therein for permitting an escape ofgas from said cartridge;

means adjustably mounted in said inner cylinder in sealed relationthereto for abutting said cartridge;

a cap releaseably mounted on said outer cylinder;

an inflatable balloon disposed within said cap, said balloon having anorifice therein;

a self-sealing nipple sealingly secured in said orifice of said balloon;

a hollow needle valve extending through said nipple into the interior ofsaid balloon and through said transverse wall of said inner cylinderinto adjacent relation to said rupturable means of said cartridge; and

a spool of line disposed within said annular recess of said casing,saidline being secured to said balloon at one end and anchored in saidcasing at the opposite end.

2. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising removal means for limiting movement of said means into saidinner cylinder.

3. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 1 which furtherincludes a resilient valve seat sealingly surrounding said needle valveand sealingly disposed in said transverse wall of said inner cylinder.

4. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidspool of line includes a cardboard core mounted in said recess and aline of monofllament material wound on said core.

5. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidspool of line is secured within said recess on said inner cylinder.

6. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidspool of line has a core frictionally mounted on said inner cylinder.

7. An inflatable emergency device comprising a casing defining a chambertherein;

a gas containing cartridge in said chamber having a rupturable means forpermitting an escape of gas therefrom;

means adjustably secured in said casing to move said cartridgelongitudinally towards one end thereof;

a cap releaseably secured over said casing;

an inflatable balloon disposed within said cap and including an orificetherein;

a self-sealing nipple sealingly secured in said orifice of said balloon;and

a hollow needle valve fixedly mounted in said casing having one endcommunicating with the interior of said balloon through said nipple andan opposite end adjacent said rupturable means of said car tridge totransfer gas from said cartridge into said balloon upon rupturing ofsaid rupturable means.

8. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidcasing includes an annular recess concentrically of said chamber andwhich further includes a spool of line mounted in said recess, one endof said line being secured to said balloon and an opposite end of saidline being secured to said casing.

99. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidmeans adjustably secured in said casing is a threaded screw sealinglymounted in said casing.

10. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 7 furtherincluding removable means for limiting movement of said means in saidcasing towards said one end.

1. An inflatable emergency device comprising a casing including a pairof concentric cylinders, the inner of said cylinders having a transversewall at one end and a peripheral wall defining a chamber therein, theouter of said cylinders being secured to an opposite end of said innercylinder and spaced from said peripheral wall of said inner cylinder todefine an annular recess therebetween; an inflatable gas containingcartridge mounted in said chamber, said cartridge having a rupturablemeans therein for permitting an escape of gas from said cartridge; meansadjustably mounted in said inner cylinder in sealed relation thereto forabutting said cartridge; a cap releaseably mounted on said outercylinder; an inflatable balloon disposed within said cap, said balloonhaving an orifice therein; a self-sealing nipple sealingly secured insaid orifice of said balloon; a hollow needle valve extending throughsaid nipple into the interior of said balloon and through saidtransverse wall of said inner cylinder into adjacent relation to saidrupturable means of said cartridge; and a spool of line disposed withinsaid annular recess of said casing,said line being secured to saidballoon at one end and anchored in said casing at the opposite end. 2.An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising removal means for limiting movement of said means into saidinner cylinder.
 3. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim1 which further includes a resilient valve seat sealingly surroundingsaid needle valve and sealingly disposed in said transverse wall of saidinner cylinder.
 4. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim1 wherein said spool of line includes a cardboard core mounted in saidrecess and a line of monofilament material wound on said core.
 5. Aninflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spoolof line is secured within said recess on said inner cylinder.
 6. Aninflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said spoolof line has a core frictionally mounted on said inner cylinder.
 7. Aninflatable emergency device comprising a casing defining a chambertherein; a gas containing cartridge in said chamber having a rupturablemeans for permitting an escape of gas therefrom; means adjustablysecured in said casing to move said cartridge longitudinally towards oneend thereof; a cap releaseably secured over said casing; an inflatableballoon disposed within said cap and including an orifice therein; aself-sealing nipple sealingly secured in said orifice of said balloon;and a hollow needle valve fixedly mounted in said casing having one endcommunicating with the interior of said balloon through said nipple andan opposite end adjacent said rupturable means of said cartridge totransfer gas from said cartridge into said balloon upon rupturing ofsaid rupturable means.
 8. An inflatable emergency device as set forth inclaim 7 wherein said casing includes an annular recess concentrically ofsaid chamber and which further includes a spool of line mounted in saidrecess, one end of said line being secured to said balloon and anopPosite end of said line being secured to said casing.
 9. An inflatableemergency device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means adjustablysecured in said casing is a threaded screw sealingly mounted in saidcasing.
 10. An inflatable emergency device as set forth in claim 7further including removable means for limiting movement of said means insaid casing towards said one end.